Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-10-31
LEO'S GOLDEN JUBILEE.
How Springfield Celebrated the Fiftieth
Anniversary Of the Head Of the
Catholic Church, Sunday.
Life Of the Pope-An Imposing Process
sion-Solemn vespers Rt 81. Ber-
nard Church-sermon by
Father Sidley.


Father Sidley.
Yesterday. Sunday, October 80, was q
red-letter day in the history Of the Catho-
lies Of the civilized wor!d-the occasion of
the celebration Of the golden jubilee Of
Pope Leo XIII, in recognition of the fif-
tieth year of his elevation to the priesthood.
The day was celebrated In Springfield in a
fervsnt and imposing manner. the principal
feature being a procession of about two
thousand people.
Pope Leo XIII is now in his seventy
eighth year and is recognized As one of the
greatest ecclesiastical rulers which have
ever held sway in the vatican.
He was born December %, 1910.
in an humble village in Italy.
and became pope on the Sth of September.
1878, succeeding the great. but impulsive.
Pope Pins IX. Pope Leo XIII first became
known As the bishop of Perugia. and was
afterwsrd created archbishop. The greater
part Of his life was spent about the vatican.
and at the time Of his ascendancy to the
rulership OF the Catholic faith In the whole
world. he was q member Of the college of
cardinals, and an eminent ecclssiastic.
known and recognized for his great piety
and learning. He was elected pope BY q
majority OF the cardinals to succeed the
pontiff, Pope Plus IN.
When he became Pope he found the
church complicated with the government Of
Europe The temporal possessions Of the
church had been taken by King Victor I'm
manuel. and the rights of her subjects had
been denied. Plus had been In reality
naught but royal prisoner In the vatican.
unable to leave 1t, and suppressed by the
powers Of Italy. who had conquered the
papal states. Here was . magnifi-
cent opportunity for the father
Of faith that had 200 Oco OOo subjects.
The church was in chaos. The italian gov
ernment was an avowed antagonist. and
England. France and Germany were openly
prosecuting the church by the intimidation
of its subjects. Pope Leo XIII ascended
the throne Of the Vatican. and the world
s,on saw that the impulsive. warm-hearted
hut rather impOlitic Plus had been sue
ist. spiritual Gladstone of
Catholicity-a statesman that at once COM
manded the worlds attention and respect
t<Oo ssoh uAouC poSS ~kh tuC pp"-
ers OF Europe and obtained concessions by
which Catholics were set FREQ and liberty
Of worship restored. Bismarck, in Ger
many. had suppressed the church, and the
republic Of France had been but . jot be-
hind In its prosecutions. The new pope. by
peaceful means. achieved religious freedom.
At present Catholics can worship without
intimidation in all European countries and
this was directly accomplished by the con-
ciliatory measures OF the new pope. Plus
had been greatly beloved but was not .
statesman. Leo furnished that quality and
the Catholic faith throughout all nations
felt the touch Of his hand on the machinery
of the world. The last great act with
which Pope Leo Is accredited by the fol-
lowers of the faith was the recent preven-
ton by mediation of the impending war
between France and Germany. His inter
vention arrested the progress Of hOstilities
and saved Europe from bloody war. He
is the 269th pope since st. Peter-the last
Of the most magnificent dynasty in the
worlds history.
The celebration yesterday had no relig-
'"ns significance, 1t was simply In honor Of
the man.
The c-iet ration of the day in Springfield
took place in the afternoon. Pursuant to
announcement in the Catholic churches last
Sunday. the procession, formed at ST. Ra-
phael church at 1880 and moved about an
hour later. 1t was composed exclusively
Of Catholic orders and
was very imposing affair. extending in
length about six blocks. Patrick Bolan.
ESQ.,, was grand marshal. and Bartholomew
Brennan and Joseph Bolan were assistants.
all superbly mounted. A number Of Amer
ican flags were conspicuous in the process
sion. mingled with the gay banners of the
Catholic societies. the procession was
made up Of the grand marshal and assist
ants. the Cadet band. two divisions of the
Ancient Order Of Hibernians. childTen So
daIities Of St Raphael school, Friendly Sons
of st. Patrick, Young Men'sHibernian sOcie-
~, Father Matthew TAB. society.a Q num-
her OF German societies, Lagonda and Big
Six bands. members 0f the various Catholic
congregations. and Fathers Berding. Fisher
and Cusick in carriages. Father Sidley
walked and had charge of the children.
some Of which were mere tOddlers. The
line Of march was west from st. Raphaels
on High to Market. north to Main. west to
Center. south to High. east to Limestone.
church, where the procession arrived
along the line OF march were thronged
with spectators.
Not one quarter Of the vast number in
the procession could obtain entrance into
the church. cOmmOdious though it is.
Every inch of room in the editice was
packed. The church was beautifully dec
Grated in the manner Of jubilant occasions.
and the services Of solemn vespers and ben
ediction were held. Father Berding was
celebrant, Father Fisher deacon and Father
Cusick sub-deacon. Father Sidley acted as
master of ceremonies.
Father Sidley also delivered the sermon,
and it is pronounced the best address he
ever made in this city. The reverend gen.
tleman was eloquent. earnest and forcible.
He spoke happily Of the harmony in the
church. as shown by the great turnout. He
reviewed the life Of the pope and spoke of
the work he had accomplished for the
world and the church by the splendOr of
his diplomacy. the greatness Of his
piety and the magniicence of his mental
equipose. Father Sidley dwelt strongly on
the relation of the Irish to this republic,
urging that their lives be refutatiOn Of the
sometimes made charge that the Irish are
always foreigners and never become citi-
Zenized.
The day was beautiful one and the eel
ebratiOn of the Pope's Golden Jubilee. so
far as this city is concerned, was . marked
success.
Turning q square cornered stick Is pos
sibility with newly invented lathe.